BLM Seeks Comments on Public Event Permits (01-07-14)

CANON CITY, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comment on two Special Recreation Permit renewal applications.

The BLM issues commercial SRPs to provide recreation businesses the opportunity to operate on BLM public lands, to provide the public the opportunity to use a guided service for recreation activities, to implement recreation management decisions and to ensure a fair return to the public for commercial use on public lands.

Public comments should focus on the applicants’ safety history, conflicts that have been associated with the applicants or their employees while operating on public lands, or any other information that would be useful to the BLM when considering the applicants’ proposal. The comment period will end Feb. 5, 2014.

Town of Buena VistaThe applicant is currently permitted for three events: Pack Burro Race, ATV Fall Color Tour and Rule the Roost running and bicycle race. They are requesting five additional non-motorized events throughout the year. The events would begin in town, cross the river bridge and continue onto designated BLM routes in the Fourmile area. For a complete list of events, visit:http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/srp_public_comment.html

Lifetime FitnessLifetime Fitness holds three events crossing BLM public lands in the Leadville area. These Leadville Race Series events include a 100-mile bike race, foot race and training camp. Lifetime Fitness has held the permit for three years.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of Americas public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.